OVER 670 applicants met the 6 August deadline for renewing their licences under the government's plans to allow more flexible drinking hours. Despite the opportunity, less than 10 premises have applied for 24 hour licences.

 

The Little Wonder on Skipton road, Harrogate's application for a 24 hour licence was unsupported last week by Harrogate Borough Council's Licensing Sub Committee which, following representations by North Yorkshire County Council's social services department and North Yorkshire Police, limited the hours when alcohol can be sold to 2 am.

 

And time is fast running out for businesses and the licensed trade to submit their applications before the final deadline of 24 November 2005.  Businesses not having successfully applied by that date will have to cease selling alcohol.

 

Although responsible bodies like the police, the fire authority, social services and Harrogate Borough Council's own departments can make representations on licence applications, individual councillors cannot unless they represent named individuals.  But when the new opening hours come into force in November, local people will have the power to tackle problem pubs and clubs through a licence review process.

 

The responsibility for licensing the supply of alcohol has been transferred from the Licensing justices to the local authority, which is empowered to refuse a licence or attach conditions only when representations have been raised.  But, if no representations are raised, the licence must be issued.

 

So Harrogate Borough Council's Licensing Committee Chairman, Councillor Bob Nash, is urging the public to get involved if they have concerns about a licence application.

 

He said:  "We have had some very successful meetings with applicants who had sought to renew and extend their licences by the 6 August deadline.  Many applications have been settled without applicants needing to bring their application to a hearing. Those that have appeared before the Licensing Sub Committee have all had a thorough and fair hearing leading to well balanced decisions being made. No appeals have been made to date.

 

"From 25 November, all licences will be under constant review, with substantive complaints received from residents triggering licensing hearings, it will allow us to use new powers to protect residents from anti-social behaviour."

 

And Chair of the Harrogate District Safer Communities Partnership, Councillor Mike Gardner, has welcomed news that many local licensees have positively responded to a move to reduce binge drinking.  He said:  "Working with the British Beer and Pub Association guidelines, the police have developed a 12 point protocol which limits drinks promotions such as three for the price of two or buy two glasses and get the rest of the bottle free.  Many applicants have voluntarily agreed to accept the protocols but the Licensing Committee is imposing adoption of this protocol as a condition of all licences."

 

Chief Inspector Richard Spedding, added:   "This is a great example of how, through partnership and by working together, we can achieve a positive outcome."

 

Details of all licensing applications are available on the council's website under www.harrogate.gov.uk/la2003

 

 

 

Anyone living in the vicinity of licensed premises can raise representation against an application, or request review of a licence, should any one of the licensing objectives be compromised. The objectives are prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and protection of children from harm.